Processes for the preparation of pesticidal compounds

ABSTRACT

The present application provides processes for making pesticidal compounds and compounds useful both as pesticides and in the making of pesticidal compounds.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the following U.S. ProvisionalPatent Applications: Ser. No. 62/041,943, filed Aug. 26, 2014; Ser. No.62/001,923, filed May 22, 2014; and Ser. No. 61/892,113, filed Oct. 17,2013; the entire disclosures of these applications are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference into this Application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to efficient and economical synthetic chemicalprocesses for the preparation of pesticidal thioether and pesticidalsulfoxides. Further, the present application relates to certain novelcompounds necessary for their synthesis. It would be advantageous toproduce pesticidal thioether and pesticidal sulfoxides efficiently andin high yield from commercially available starting materials.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following definitions apply to the terms as used throughout thisspecification, unless otherwise limited in specific instances.

As used herein, the term “alkyl” denotes branched or unbranchedhydrocarbon chains.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “cycloalkyl” as employed hereinalone is a saturated cyclic hydrocarbon group, such as cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl.

The term “thio” as used herein as part of another group refers to asulfur atom serving as a linker between two groups.

The term “halogen” or “halo” as used herein alone or as part of anothergroup refers to chlorine, bromine, fluorine, and iodine.

The compounds and process of the present application are described indetail below.

In step a of Scheme 1, 4-nitropyrazole is halogenated and reduced toyield 3-chloro-1H-pyrazol-4-amine hydrochloride (1a). The halogenationoccurs at the 3-carbon through the use of concentrated (37 weightpercent) hydrochloric acid (HCl). The reduction occurs withtriethylsilane (Et₃SiH) and palladium on alumina (Pd/Al₂O₃ preferablyabout 1 to 10 weight percent palladium on alumina, more preferably about5 weight percent). This reaction may be conducted at a temperature fromabout 0° C. to about 40° C., preferably about 10° C. to about 20° C.This reaction may be conducted in a polar protic solvent, such asmethanol (MeOH) or ethanol (EtOH), preferably ethanol. It wassurprisingly discovered, that by utilizing about 1 equivalent to about 4equivalents, preferably, about 2.5 equivalents to about 3.5 equivalentsof triethylsilane in this step, while conducting the reaction betweenabout 10° C. and about 20° C., gives about a 10:1 molar ratio of thedesired halogenated product, 3-chloro-1H-pyrazol-4-amine hydrochloride(1a)

versus the undesired product.

In step b of Scheme 1,3-chloro-1H-pyrazol-4-amine hydrochloride (1a) isacylated with acetic anhydride (Ac₂O) in the presence of a base,preferably an inorganic base, such as, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), atabout 0° C. to about 10° C., preferably about 5° C. to yieldN-(3-chloro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (1b). It was surprisinglydiscovered that a chloro substituent must be present at the 3-positionfor this reaction to proceed to completion and to also avoid overacylation. Described herein is a comparative example without a halogenat the 3-position that yielded the double acylated product (see “CE-1”).Further, a comparative example with a bromo group at the 3-positionafforded the product in a surprisingly low yield compared to the yieldwith the chloro group (see “CE-2”).

In step c of Scheme 1, N-(3-chloro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (1b) isreacted with a halopyridine such as 3-bromopyridine or 3-iodopyridine inthe presence of a copper salt (such as copper(I) chloride (CuCl),copper(II) chloride (CuCl₂), and copper(I) iodide (CuI)), an inorganicbase such as potassium phosphate (K₃PO₄), and an amine such asN,N′-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine to yieldN-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (1c). The processmay be conducted in a polar solvent, such as, acetonitrile (MeCN)dioxane, or N,N-dimethylformamide at a temperature between about 50° C.and about 110° C. It was surprisingly discovered that the addition ofwater during the work-up of this step maximized the yield. Furthermore,this synthetic method is simpler and reduces the costs of startingmaterials over known heteroarylation methods.

In step d of Scheme 1,N-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (1c) is reducedin the presence of a hydride source, preferably, sodium borohydride(NaBH₄) and an acid source, such as a Brønsted acid or a Lewis acid,preferably a Lewis acid, preferably borontrifluoride etherate (BF₃.Et₂O)to yield 3-chloro-N-ethyl-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-amine (1d). It hasbeen surprisingly discovered that the yield of the reaction is greatlyaffected by the quality of the borontrifluoride etherate (purchased fromdifferent suppliers, currently, Sigma Aldrich product number 175501being preferred).

In step e of Scheme 1,3-chloro-N-ethyl-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-amine (1d) is reacted withan acyl chloride, indicated as ClC(═O)C₁-C₄-alkyl-S—R¹, to producepesticidal thioether (1e). R¹ is selected from the group consisting ofC₁-C₄-haloalkyl and C₁-C₄-alkyl-C₃-C₆-halocycloalkyl, preferably, R¹ isselected from CH₂CH₂CF₃ or CH₂(2,2-difluoro-cyclopropyl). The reactionmay be conducted in a polar aprotic solvent such as ethyl acetate(EtOAc). The reaction may be optionally conducted in the presence of abase such as NaHCO₃, to yield pesticidal thioether (1e).

In step f of Scheme 1, thioether (1e) is oxidized with an oxidant suchas hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to yield pesticidal sulfoxides (1f). Theoxidation is conducted in a polar protic solvent such as a primary C₁-C₄alcohol, especially in methanol.

Alternatively, N-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide(1c) may be prepared by the heteroarylation ofN-(3-chloro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (1b) disclosed in Scheme 2,providing further cost savings of this process.

Furthermore, as disclosed in Scheme 3, pesticidal thioether (1e) mayalternatively be prepared by reacting3-chloro-N-ethyl-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-amine (1d) with anactivated carbonyl thioether, indicated as X¹C(═O)C₁-C₄-alkyl-S—R¹, toproduce pesticidal thioether (1e). R¹ is selected from the groupconsisting of C₁-C₄-haloalkyl and C₁-C₄-alkyl-C₃-C₆-halocycloalkyl,preferably, R¹ is selected from CH₂CH₂CF₃ orCH₂(2,2-difluoro-cyclopropyl). When X¹ is OC(═O)C₁-C₄ alkyl, thereaction may be conducted in the presence of a base preferably, sodiumbicarbonate, to yield pesticidal thioether (1e). Alternatively, thereaction may be accomplished when X¹ forms an activated carboxylic acidactivated by such reagents as2,4,6-tripropyl-trioxatriphosphinane-2,4,-trioxide (T₃P),carbonyldiimidazole (CDI), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) or1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC), preferably2,4,6-tripropyl-trioxatriphosphinane-2,4,-trioxide andcarbonyldiimidazole at temperatures from about 0° C. to about 80° C.;this reaction may also be facilitated with uronium or phosphoniumactivating groups such asO-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluroniumhexafluorophosphate (HATU) orbenzotriazol-1-yl-oxytripyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate(PyBOP), in the presence of an amine base such as diisopropylethylamine(DIPEA) or triethylamine (TEA) in an polar aprotic solvent such asN,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), tetrahydrofuran (THF), or dichloromethane(CH₂Cl₂), at temperatures from about −10° C. to about 30° C. to formpesticidal thioether (1e). Activated carbonyl thioethers may be preparedfrom X¹C(═O)C₁-C₄-alkyl-S—R¹, wherein X¹ is OH, which may be prepared byreacting the corresponding ester thioether, indicated asX¹C(═O)C₁-C₄-alkyl-S—R¹ wherein X¹ is OC₁-C₄-alkyl, with a metalhydroxide such as lithium hydroxide in a polar solvent such as MeOH orTHF. Alternatively, X¹C(═O)C₁-C₄-alkyl-S—R¹, wherein X¹ is OH orOC₁-C₄-alkyl may be prepared by the photochemical free-radical couplingof 3-mercaptopropionic acid and esters thereof with3,3,3-trifluoropropene in the presence of2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone initiator and long wavelength UVlight in an inert organic solvent. Furthermore, X¹C(═O)C₁-C₄-alkyl-S—R¹,wherein X¹ is OH or OC₁-C₄-alkyl may also be prepared by the lowtemperature free radical initiated coupling of 3-mercaptopropionic acidand esters thereof with 3,3,3-trifluoropropene in the presence of2,2′-azobis(4-methoxy-2,4-dimethyl) valeronitrile (V-70) initiator attemperatures of about −50° C. to about 40° C. in an inert organicsolvent.

Additionally, as disclosed in Scheme 4,3-chloro-1H-pyrazol-4-aminehydrochloride (1a) may be prepared from 4-nitropyrazole. The4-nitropyrazole is halogenated at the 3-carbon through the use ofconcentrated hydrochloric acid at about 10° C. to about 20° C. duringthe reduction with palladium on alumina and hydrogen (H₂) to provide thedescribed product (1a).

3-Chloro-N-ethyl-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-amine (1d) may be preparedthrough the reaction pathway sequence disclosed in Scheme 5. In step d1,N-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (1c) may bealkylated with ethyl bromide (EtBr) in the presence of a base, such assodium hydride (NaH), sodium tert-butoxide (NaOt-Bu), potassiumtert-butoxide (KOt-Bu), or potassium tert-amyloxide in a polar aproticsolvent, such as tetrahydrofuran, at temperatures from about 20° C. toabout 40° C., over a period of time of about 60 hours to about 168hours, to yieldN-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethylacetamide (1c′). Ithas been discovered that use of an additive, such as potassium iodide(KI) or tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI) decreases the time necessaryfor the reaction to complete to about 24 hours. It was also discoveredthat heating the reaction at about 50° C. to about 70° C. in a sealedreactor (to prevent loss of ethyl bromide) decreases the reaction timeto about 24 hours. In step d2,N-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethylacetamide (1c′) maybe treated with hydrochloric acid in water at temperatures from about70° C. to about 90° C., to yield3-chloro-N-ethyl-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazolamine (1d). The reactionpathway sequence disclosed in Scheme 5 may also be performed without theisolation ofN-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethylacetamide (1c′).

EXAMPLES

The following examples are presented to better illustrate the processesof the present application.

Compound Examples Example 1 3-Chloro-1H-pyrazol-4-amine hydrochloride(1a)

A 1000-mL, multi-neck cylindrical jacketed reactor, fitted with amechanical stirrer, temperature probe and nitrogen (N₂) inlet, wascharged with 4-nitropyrazole (50.0 g, 429 mmol) and palladium on alumina(5 wt %, 2.5 g). Ethanol (150 mL) was added, followed by a slow additionof concentrated hydrochloric acid (37 wt %, 180 mL). The reaction wascooled to 15° C., and triethylsilane (171 mL, 1072 mmol) was addedslowly via addition funnel over 1 hour, while maintaining the internaltemperature at 15° C. The reaction was stirred at 15° C. for 72 hours,after which the reaction mixture was filtered through a Celite® pad andthe pad was rinsed with warm ethanol (40° C., 2×100 mL). The combinedfiltrates were separated and the aqueous layer (bottom layer) wasconcentrated to ˜100 mL. Acetonitrile (200 mL) was added and theresulting suspension was concentrated to ˜100 mL. Acetonitrile (200 mL)was added a second time and the resulting suspension was concentrated to˜100 mL. Acetonitrile (200 mL) was added a third time and the resultingsuspension was stirred at 20° C. for 1 hour and filtered. The filtercake was rinsed with Acetonitrile (2×100 mL) and dried under vacuum at20° C. to afford a white solid (˜10:1 mixture of 1a and1H-pyrazol-4-amine, 65.5 g, 99%): ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 10.52 (bs,3H), 8.03 (s, 1H); EIMS m/z 117 ([M]⁺).

Example 2 N-(3-Chloro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (1b)

A 100-mL 3-neck round bottom flask was charged with3-chloro-1H-pyrazol-4-amine hydrochloride (5.00 g, 32.5 mmol) and water(25 mL). Sodium bicarbonate (10.9 g, 130 mmol) was added slowly over 10minutes (off-gassing during addition), followed by tetrahydrofuran (25mL). The mixture was cooled to 5° C. and acetic anhydride (3.48 g, 34.1mmol) was added over 30 minutes while maintaining the internaltemperature at <10° C. The reaction was stirred at 5° C. for 1 hour, atwhich point thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis [Eluent: ethylacetate] indicated that the starting material had disappeared and amajor product was exclusively formed. The reaction mixture was dilutedwith ethyl acetate (25 mL) and water (25 mL). The layers were separatedand the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (3×25 mL). Thecombined organic layers were concentrated to afford an off-white solid,which was suspended in methyl tert-butylether (20 mL), stirred for 1hour, and filtered. The solid was rinsed with methyl tert-butylether (20mL) and further dried under vacuum at room temperature (about 22° C.)for 4 hours to give a white solid (4.28 g, 83%): mp 162-164° C.; ¹H NMR(400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.90 (bs, 1H), 9.49 (s, 1H), 7.97 (s, 1H), 2.02(s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 167.81, 130.07, 123.72, 116.73,22.58; EIMS m/z 159 ([M]⁺).

Example 3 N-(3-Chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (1c)

A 250-mL, 3-neck round bottom flask was charged withN-(3-chloro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (4.8 g, 30.1 mmol), copper(II)chloride (0.404 g, 3.01 mmol), 3-iodopyridine (7.40 g, 36.1 mmol),potassium phosphate (7.66 g, 36.1 mmol) and acetonitrile (100 mL).N,N′-Dimethylethane-1,2-diamine (1.33 g, 15.0 mmol) was added and themixture was heated at 80° C. for 18 hours, at which point thin layerchromatography analysis [Eluent: ethyl acetate] indicated that a traceamount of starting material remained and a major product formed. It wasfiltered through a pad of Celite® and the Celite® pad rinsed withacetonitrile (50 mL). Water (300 mL) was added to the filtrate and theresulting suspension was stirred for 2 hours and filtered. The resultingsolid was rinsed with water (2×20 mL) and dried under vacuum at roomtemperature to afford a white solid (4.60 g, 65%): mp 169-172° C.; ¹HNMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 9.84 (s, 1H), 9.05 (dd, J=2.8, 0.8 Hz, 1H),8.82 (s, 1H), 8.54 (dd, J=4.7, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 8.20 (ddd, J=8.4, 2.8, 1.4Hz, 1H), 7.54, (ddd, J=8.3, 4.7, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 2.11 (s, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 168.12, 147.46, 139.42, 135.46, 133.60, 125.47, 124.21,122.21, 120.16, 22.62; EIMS m/z 236 ([M]⁺).

Alternate Synthetic Route to Example 3:N-(3-Chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide

A 100-mL, 3-neck round bottom flask was charged with copper(I) chloride(59.6 mg, 0.602 mmol) and acetonitrile (10 mL),N,N′-dimethyethane-1,2-diamine (106 mg, 1.203 mmol) was added and themixture was stirred under nitrogen to afford a solution.N-(3-Chloro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (480 mg, 3.01 mmol) and potassiumcarbonate (831 mg, 6.02 mmol) were added, followed by 3-bromopyridine(570 mg, 3.61 mmol). The mixture was purged with nitrogen three timesand heated at 80° C. for 18 hours. Thin layer chromatography analysis[Eluent: ethyl acetate, SM R_(f)=0.5, Product R_(f)=0.3] indicated thata trace of starting material remained and a major product formed. It wasfiltered through a pad of Celite® and the Celite® pad rinsed withacetonitrile (10 mL). The combined filtrates were concentrated to about5 mL and water (10 mL) was added to the resulting suspension. Thesuspension was stirred for 1 hour and filtered. The solid was rinsedwith water (2×5 mL) and dried under vacuum at room temperature to afforda white solid (458 mg, 64%). Characterization matched sample prepared byprevious method.

Alternate Synthetic Route to Example 3:N-(3-Chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide

A 4-neck round bottom flask was charged with N,N-dimethylformamide (250mL) and then degassed 2-3 times. Copper(I) iodide (17.9 g, 94.0 mmol)was added, followed by N,N′-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine (16.2 g, 188mmol) at 25-30° C. The mixture was purged with nitrogen for 30 minutes.3-Bromopyridine (59.4 g, 376 mmol) was added, followed byN-(3-chloro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (50.0 g, 313 mmol) and potassiumcarbonate (87.0 g, 188 mmol) at 25-30° C. The reaction mixture waspurged with nitrogen for 30 minutes and heated at 95-100° C. for 3hours, at which point HPLC analysis indicated that the reaction wascomplete. It was cooled to 25-30° C. and water (1 L) was added over30-45 minutes. The resulting suspension was stirred at 25-30° C. for 30minutes and cooled to 0-10° C. It was stirred for 12 hours at 0-10° C.and then filtered. The filter cake was rinsed with water (2×250 mL) anddried to afford an off-white solid (55 g, 74%). Characterization matchedsample prepared by previous method.

Example 4 3-Chloro-N-ethyl-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-amine (1d)

A 100-mL, 3-neck round bottom flask was charged withN-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (475 mg, 2.01mmol) and tetrahydrofuran (10 mL). Borontrifluoride etherate (0.63 mL,5.02 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes to givea suspension. Sodium borohydride (228 mg, 6.02 mmol) was added and thereaction was heated at 60° C. for 4 hours, at which point thin layerchromatography analysis [Eluent: ethyl acetate, sample was prepared bytreatment of reaction mixture with hydrochloric acid, followed by sodiumbicarbonate basification and ethyl acetate extraction) indicated thatthe reaction was complete. Water (10 mL) and concentrated hydrochloricacid (1 mL) were added and the reaction was heated at 60° C. for 1 hour.The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and distilled toremove tetrahydrofuran. The reaction mixture was neutralized withsaturated sodium bicarbonate solution to pH 8 to afford a suspension,which was stirred for 1 hour and filtered. The filter cake was rinsedwith water (10 mL) and dried under vacuum to give a white solid (352 mg,79%): mp 93-96° C.; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.99 (d, J=2.7 Hz, 1H),8.44 (dd, J=4.6, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 8.10 (ddd, J=8.4, 2.7, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 8.06(s, 1H), 7.50 (dd, J=0.4, 4.7 Hz, 1H), 4.63 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 3.06-2.92(m, 2H), 1.18 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 146.17,138.31, 135.81, 132.82, 130.84, 124.10, 123.96, 112.23, 40.51, 14.28;EIMS m/z 222 ([M⁺]).

Alternate Synthetic Route to Example 4:3-Chloro-N-ethyl-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazolamine Step 1.N-(3-Chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethylacetamide (1c′)

A 3-neck, 100-mL round bottom flask was charged withN-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (5.00 g, 21.1mmol) and tetrahydrofuran (50 mL). Sodium tert-butoxide (3.05 g, 31.7mmol) was added (causing a temperature rise from 22° C. to 27.9° C.),followed by bromoethane (4.70 mL, 63.4 mmol). The reaction was stirredat 35° C. for 168 hours, at which point HPLC analysis indicated thatonly 2.9% (area under the curve, AUC) starting material remained. Thereaction mixture was concentrated to give a brown residue, which wasdiluted with ethyl acetate (50 mL) and water (50 mL). The aqueous layerwas extracted with ethyl acetate (4×50 mL) and the combined organicswere concentrated to give a brown residue. The residue was dissolved indichloromethane (2×10 mL) and purified by flash column chromatographyusing 60-100% ethyl acetate/hexanes as eluent. The fractions containingpure product were combined and concentrated to afford the title productas a yellow solid (4.20 g, 74%): ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.98 (d,J=2.7, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 8.62 (dd, J=4.8, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 8.06 (ddd, J=8.3, 2.7,1.4 Hz, 1H), 8.00 (s, 1H), 7.47 (dd, J=8.3, 4.7 Hz, 1H), 3.71 (q, J=7.1Hz, 2H), 1.97 (s, 3H), 1.16 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃)δ 170.69, 148.56, 140.89, 139.95, 135.64, 126.22, 126.08, 124.86,124.09, 43.77, 22.27, 13.15; mp 87-91° C.; ESIMS m/z 265 ([M+H]⁺).

Step 1. N-(3-Chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethylacetamide(1c′)

A 3-neck, 100-mL round bottom flask was charged withN-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (1.66 g, 7.0mmol) and tetrahydrofuran (16 mL). Sodium tert-butoxide (0.843 g, 8.77mmol, 1.25 eq) and ethyl bromide (0.78 mL, 10.52 mmol, 1.5 eq) wereadded and the reactor was capped with a septa. The reaction was stirredat 58° C. for 24 hours, at which point HPLC analysis indicated that only1.97% starting material remained. The mixture was concentrated to give abrown residue, which was dissolved in water (20 mL) and ethyl acetate(20 mL). The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×20 mL)and the combined organics were concentrated to dryness. The residue waspassed through a silica gel plug (40 g silica) and eluted with ethylacetate (200 mL). The filtrates were concentrated to dryness and furtherdried under vacuum at 20° C. to afford a yellow solid (1.68 g, 89%).Characterization matched sample prepared by previous method.

Step 1. N-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethylacetamide(1c′)

In a 125 mL 3-neck round-bottom flask was addedN-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (2.57 g, 9.44mmol), tetrahydrofuran (55 mL), and sodium tert-butoxide (1.81 g, 18.9mmol). The suspension was stirred for 5 minutes then ethyl bromide (1.41mL, 18.9 mmol), and tetrabutylammonium iodide (67 mg, 0.2 mmol) wereadded. The resulting gray colored suspension was then heated to 38° C.The reaction was analyzed after 3 hours and found to have gone to 81%completion, after 24 hours the reaction was found to have gone tocompletion. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to ambienttemperature and quenched with ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH)/formic acid(HCO₂H) buffer (10 mL). The mixture was then diluted withtetrahydrofuran (40 mL), ethyl acetate (120 mL), and saturated sodiumbicarbonate (30 mL). The layers were separated and the aqueous layer wasextracted with ethyl acetate (2×30 mL). The organic layers were combinedand silica (37 g) was added. The solvent was removed in vacuo to give asolid that was purified using semi-automated silica gel chromatography(RediSep Silica 220 g column; Hexanes (0.2% triethylamine)/ethylacetate, 40/60 to 0/100 gradient elution system, flow rate 150mL/minute) to give, after concentration, an orange solid weighing (2.19g, 88%).

Step 2. 3-Chloro-N-ethyl-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-amine (1d)

A solution ofN-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethylacetamide (1.8 g,6.80 mmol) in hydrochloric acid (1 N, 34 mL) was heated at 80° C. for 18hours, at which point HPLC analysis indicated that only 1.1% startingmaterial remained. The reaction mixture was cooled to 20° C. andbasified with sodium hydroxide (50 weight %, NaOH) to pH >9. Theresulting suspension was stirred at 20° C. for 2 hours and filtered. Thefilter cake was rinsed with water (2×5 mL), conditioned for 30 minutes,and air-dried to afford an off-white solid (1.48 g, 95%): ¹H NMR (400MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 9.00 (dd, J=2.8, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 8.45 (dd, J=4.7, 1.4 Hz,1H), 8.11 (ddd, J=8.4, 2.8, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 8.06 (d, J=0.6 Hz, 1H), 7.49(ddd, J=8.4, 4.7, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 4.63 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 3.00 (qd, J=7.1,5.8 Hz, 2H), 1.19 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ146.18, 138.31, 135.78, 132.82, 130.84, 124.08, 123.97, 112.23, 40.51,14.28; ESIMS m/z 223 ([M+H]⁺).

Alternate Synthetic Route to Example 4:3-Chloro-N-ethyl-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-amine

To a 3-neck, 100-mL round bottom flask was chargedN-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (5 g, 21.13 mmol)and tetrahydrofuran (50 mL). Sodium tert-butoxide (4.06 g, 42.3 mmol)was added (causing a temperature rise from 22° C. to 27.6° C.), followedby bromoethane (6.26 mL, 85 mmol). The reaction was stirred at 35° C.for 144 hours at which point only 3.2% (AUC) starting material remained.The reaction mixture was concentrated to give a brown residue, which wasdissolved in hydrochloric acid (1 N, 106 mL, 106 mmol) and heated at 80°C. for 24 hours, at which point HPLC analysis indicated that thestarting material had been consumed. The reaction was cooled to 20° C.and basified with sodium hydroxide (50 wt %) to pH>9. The resultingsuspension was stirred at 20° C. for 1 hour and filtered, the filtercake was rinsed with water (25 mL) to afford a brown solid (5.18 g). Theresulting crude product was dissolved in ethyl acetate and passedthrough a silica gel plug (50 g) using ethyl acetate (500 mL) as eluent.The filtrate was concentrated to dryness to afford a white solid (3.8 g,80%).

Example 5N-(3-Chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethyl-3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio)propanamide(Compound 5.1)

A 100-mL, 3-neck round bottom flask was charged with3-chloro-N-ethyl-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-amine (5.00 g, 22.5 mmol)and ethyl acetate (50 mL). Sodium bicarbonate (4.72 g, 56.1 mmol) wasadded, followed by dropwise addition of3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio)propanoyl chloride (5.95 g, 26.9 mmol) at<20° C. for 2 hours, at which point HPLC analysis indicated that thereaction was complete. The reaction was diluted with water (50 mL)(off-gassing) and the layers separated. The aqueous layer was extractedwith ethyl acetate (20 mL) and the combined organic layers wereconcentrated to dryness to afford a light brown solid (10.1 g,quantitative). A small sample of crude product was purified by flashcolumn chromatography using ethyl acetate as eluent to obtain ananalytical reference sample: mp 79-81° C.; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ9.11 (d, J=2.7 Hz, 1H), 8.97 (s, 1H), 8.60 (dd, J=4.8, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 8.24(ddd, J=8.4, 2.8, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (ddd, J=8.4, 4.7, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 3.62(q, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.75 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 2.66-2.57 (m, 2H), 2.57-2.44(m, 2H), 2.41 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 1.08 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ESIMS m/z 407([M+H]⁺).

Alternate synthetic route to:N-(3-Chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethyl-3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio)propanamide

A 20-mL vial was charged with 3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio)propanoicacid (0.999 g, 4.94 mmol) and acetonitrile (5 mL). Carbodiimidazole(0.947 g, 5.84 mmol) (off-gassing) and 1H-imidazole hydrochloride (0.563g, 5.39 mmol) were added and the reaction was stirred at 20° C. for 4hours. 3-Chloro-N-ethyl-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-amine (1 g, 4.49mmol) was added and the reaction was stirred at 75° C. for 42 hours, atwhich point HPLC analysis indicated that the conversion was 96%. Thereaction was cooled to 20° C. and concentrated to dryness. The residuewas purified by flash column chromatography using 80% ethylacetate/hexanes as eluent. Pure fractions were combined and concentratedto afford a light yellow solid (1.58 g, 86%). Characterization matchedsample prepared by previous method.

Alternate synthetic route to:N-(3-Chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethyl-3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio)propanamide

A solution of 3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio)propanoic acid (2.18 g,10.78 mmol) and 3-chloro-N-ethyl-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-amine (2.00g, 8.98 mmol) was cooled to 5° C. diisopropylethylamine (5.15 mL, 29.6mmol) was added dropwise at 0-5° C. over 30 min, followed by theaddition of 2,4,6-tripropyl-trioxatriphosphinane-2,4,-trioxide (4.00 g,12.6 mmol) over 30 minutes at 0-5° C. The reaction was allowed to warmto 25-30° C. and stirred for 2 hours. Upon reaction completion, thereaction mixture was cooled to 0-5° C. and quenched with water (12 mL).The layers were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethylacetate (30 mL). The combined organic layers were concentrated to affordthe desired product as an oil (3.4 g, 94%). Characterization matchedsample prepared by previous method.

Alternate Purification Conditions for:N-(3-Chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethyl-3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio)propanamide

CrudeN-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethyl-3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio)propanamide(64 g) was suspended in methanol (90 mL) and heated to give a clearbrown solution. Water (30 mL) was added, the solution was allowed tocool to 20° C. and seeded with a sample ofN-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethyl-3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio)propanamidesolid (50 mg). The resulting suspension was stirred at 20° C. for 18hours. The suspension was filtered and the filter cake was rinsed with3:1 methanol/water (2×40 mL) and dried to afford a white solid (49 g,77%). Characterization matched sample prepared by previous method.

Alternate Purification Conditions for:N-(3-Chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethyl-3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio)propanamide

CrudeN-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethyl-3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio)propanamide(5.0 g) was suspended in methyl tert-butylether (15 mL) and heated togive a clear brown solution. It was allowed to cool to 20° C. and seededwith a sample ofN-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethyl-3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio)propanamidesolid (20 mg). The resulting suspension was stirred at 20° C. for 18hours. Heptanes (10 mL) was added and the solid remained as afree-flowing suspension. It was stirred at 20° C. for 2 hours andfiltered. The filter cake was rinsed with heptanes (2×10 mL) and driedto afford a white solid (3.9 g, 78%). Characterization matched sampleprepared by previous method.

Example 6 3-((3,3,3-Trifluoropropyl)thio)propanoic acid

A 100-mL, 3-neck round bottom flask was charged with 3-bromopropanoicacid (500 mg, 3.27 mmol) and methanol (10 mL), potassium hydroxide (KOH,403 mg, 7.19 mmol) was added, followed by 3,3,3-trifluoropropane-1-thiol(468 mg, 3.60 mmol). The mixture was heated at 50° C. for 4 hours, afterwhich it was acidified with hydrochloric acid (2 N) and extracted withmethyl tert-butylether (2×10 mL). The organic layer was concentrated todryness to afford a light yellow oil (580 mg, 88%): ¹H NMR (400 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 2.83 (td, 0.1=7.1, 0.9 Hz, 2H), 2.78-2.64 (m, 4H), 2.48-2.32(m, 2H).

Alternate Synthetic Route to: 3-((3,3,3-Trifluoropropyl)thio)propanoicacid

A 100-mL stainless steel Parr reactor was charged withazobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN, 0.231 g, 1.41 mmol), toluene (45 mL),3-mercaptopropionic acid (3.40 g, 32.0 mmol), and octanophenone (526.2mg) as an internal standard and was purged and pressure checked withnitrogen. The reactor was cooled with dry ice and the3,3,3-trifluoropropene (3.1 g, 32.3 mmol) was condensed into thereactor. The ice bath was removed and the reactor heated to 60° C. andstirred for 27 hours. The internal yield of the reaction was determinedto be 80% by use of the octanophenone internal standard. The pressurewas released and the crude mixture removed from the reactor. The mixturewas concentrated by rotary evaporation and sodium hydroxide (10%, 50 mL)was added. The solution was washed with methyl tert-butylether (50 mL)then acidified to pH ˜1 with hydrochloric acid (6 N). The product wasextracted with methyl tert-butylether (100 mL), dried over magnesiumsulfate (MgSO₄), filtered, and concentrated to give the crude titledcompound as an oil (5.34 g, 83%): ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 2.83 (td,J=7.1, 0.9 Hz, 2H), 2.76-2.64 (m, 4H), 2.47-2.30 (m, 2H); ¹³C NMR (101MHz, CDCl₃) δ 177.68, 125.91 (q, J=277.1 Hz), 34.58 (q, J=28.8 Hz),34.39, 26.63, 24.09 (q, J=3.3 Hz); ¹⁹F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl₃) δ −66.49.

Alternate Synthetic Route to: 3-((3,3,3-Trifluoropropyl)thio)propanoicacid

A 250 mL three-neck round bottom flask was charged with toluene (81 mL)and cooled to <-50° C. with a dry ice/acetone bath.3,3,3-Trifluoropropene (10.28 g, 107.0 mmol) was bubbled into thesolvent and the ice bath was removed. 3-Mercaptopropionic acid (9.200 g,86.70 mmol) and 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (1.070 g, 4.170 mmol)were added and the long wave light (366 nm, 4 watt UVP lamp) was turnedon (Starting temperature: −24° C.). The reaction reached a hightemperature of 27.5° C. due to heat from the lamp. The reaction wasstirred with the black light on for 4 hours. After 4 hours the blacklight was turned off and the reaction concentrated by rotary evaporation(41° C., 6 mm Hg) giving a pale yellow oil (18.09 g, 51:1linear:branched isomer, 90 wt % linear isomer by GC internal standardassay, 16.26 g active, 93%). The crude material was dissolved in sodiumhydroxide w/w (10%, 37.35 g) and was washed with toluene (30 mL) toremove non-polar impurities. The aqueous layer was acidified to pH ˜2-3with hydrochloric acid (2 N, 47.81 g) and was extracted with toluene (50mL). The organic layer was washed with water (40 mL) and dried overmagnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated by rotary evaporationgiving a pale yellow oil (14.15 g, 34:1 linear:branched isomer, 94 wt %linear isomer by GC internal standard assay, 13.26 g active, 76%).

Alternate Synthetic Route to: 3-((3,3,3-Trifluoropropyl)thio)propanoicacid

A 100 mL stainless steel Parr reactor was charged with3-mercaptopropionic acid (3.67 g, 34.6 mmol), toluene (30.26 g), and2,2′-azobis(4-methoxy-2,4-dimethyl) valeronitrile (V-70, 0.543 g, 1.76mmol) and the reactor was cooled with a dry ice/acetone bath, purgedwith nitrogen, and pressure checked. 3,3,3-Trifluoropropene (3.20 g,33.3 mmol) was added via transfer cylinder and the reaction was allowedto warm to 20° C. After 24 hours, the reaction was heated to 50° C. for1 hour to decompose any remaining V-70 initiator. The reaction wasallowed to cool to room temperature. The solution was concentrated byrotary evaporation to provide the title compound (6.80 g, 77.5 wt %linear isomer by GC internal standard assay, 5.27 g active, 76%, 200:1linear:branched by GC, 40:1 linear:branched by fluorine NMR).

Example 7 Methyl-3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio)propionate (Compound7.1)

A 100-mL stainless steel Parr reactor was charged withazobisisobutyronitrile (0.465 g, 2.83 mmol), toluene (60 mL) andmethyl-3-mercaptopropionate (7.40 g, 61.6 mmol) and was purged andpressure checked with nitrogen. The reactor was cooled with dry ice andthe 3,3,3-trifluopropopene (5.7 g, 59.3 mmol) was condensed into thereactor. The ice bath was removed and the reactor heated to 60° C. andstirred to 24 hours. The heat was turned off and the reaction wasallowed to stir at room temperature overnight. The mixture was removedfrom the reactor and concentrated to give a yellow liquid. The liquidwas distilled by vacuum distillation (2 Torr, 85° C.) and threefractions were collected: fraction 1 (1.3 g, 6.01 mmol, 10%, 70.9 area %by GC), fraction 2 (3.7 g, 17.1 mmol, 29%, 87 area % by GC), andfraction 3 (4.9 g, 22.7 mmol, 38%, 90.6 area % by GC): ¹H NMR (400 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 3.71 (s, 3H), 2.82, (td, J=7.3, 0.7 Hz, 2H), 2.75-2.68 (m, 2H),2.63 (td, J=7.2, 0.6 Hz, 2H), 2.47-2.31 (m, 2H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 172.04, 125.93 (q, J=277.2 Hz), 51.86, 34.68 (q, J=28.6 Hz),34.39, 27.06, 24.11 (q, J=3.3 Hz); ¹⁹F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl₃) δ −66.53.

Alternate Synthetic Route to:Methyl-3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio)propionate

A 500 mL three-neck round bottom flask was charged with toluene (200 mL)and cooled to <-50° C. with a dry ice/acetone bath.3,3,3-Trifluoropropene (21.8 g, 227 mmol) was condensed into thereaction by bubbling the gas through the cooled solvent and the ice bathwas removed. Methyl 3-mercaptopropionate (26.8 g, 223 mmol) and2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (2.72 g, 10.61 mmol) were added and aUVP lamp (4 watt) that was placed within 2 centimeters of the glass wallwas turned on to the long wave function (366 nanometers). The reactionreached 35° C. due to heat from the lamp. After 4 hours, all of thetrifluoropropene was either consumed or boiled out of the reaction. Thelight was turned off and the reaction stirred at room temperatureovernight. After 22 hours, more trifluoropropene (3.1 g) was bubbledthrough the mixture at room temperature and the light was turned on foran additional 2 hours. The reaction had converted 93% so no moretrifluoropropene was added. The light was turned off and the mixtureconcentrated on the rotovap (40° C., 20 torr) giving a yellow liquid(45.7 g, 21.3:1 linear: branched isomer, 75 wt % pure linear isomerdetermined by a GC internal standard assay, 34.3 g active, 71% in potyield).

Alternate Synthetic Route to:Methyl-3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio)propionate

A 100 mL stainless steel Parr reactor was charged with methyl3-mercaptopropionate (4.15 g, 34.5 mmol), toluene (30.3 g), and2,2′-azobis(4-methoxy-2,4-dimethyl) valeronitrile (V-70, 0.531 g, 1.72mmol) and the reactor was cooled with a dry ice/acetone bath, purgedwith nitrogen, and pressure checked. 3,3,3-Trifluoropropene (3.40 g,35.4 mmol) was added via transfer cylinder and the reaction was allowedto warm to 20° C. After 23 hours the reaction was heated to 50° C. for 1hour to decompose any remaining V-70 initiator. The reaction was allowedto cool to room temperature. The solution was concentrated to providethe title compound (7.01 g, 66%, 70.3 wt % linear isomer by GC internalstandard assay, 4.93 g active, 66%, 24:1 linear:branched by GC, 18:1linear:branched by fluorine NMR).

Example 8N-(3-Chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethyl-3-((3,3,3-trifluoro-propyl)sulfoxo)propanamide(Compound 8.1)

N-(3-Chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethyl-3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio)propanamide(57.4 g, 141 mmol) was stirred in methanol (180 mL). To the resultingsolution was added hydrogen peroxide (43.2 mL, 423 mmol) dropwise usinga syringe. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 6 hours, atwhich point LCMS analysis indicated that the starting material wasconsumed. The mixture was poured into dichloromethane (360 mL) andwashed with aqueous sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃). The organic layer wasdried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to provide a thick yellowoil. The crude product was purified by flash column chromatography using0-10% methanol/ethyl acetate as eluent and the pure fractions werecombined and concentrated to afford the desired product as an oil (42.6g, 68%): ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 9.09 (dd, J=2.8, 0.7 Hz, 1H), 8.98(s, 1H), 8.60 (dd, J=4.7, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 8.24 (ddd, J=8.4, 2.7, 1.4 Hz,1H), 7.60 (ddd, J=8.4, 4.7, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 3.61 (q, J=7.4, 7.0 Hz, 2H),3.20-2.97 (m, 2H), 2.95-2.78 (m, 2H), 2.76-2.57 (m, 2H), 2.58-2.45 (m,2H), 1.09 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); ESIMS m/z 423 ([M+H]⁺).

Example 9 3-((3,3,3-Trifluoropropyl)thio)propanoyl chloride

A dry 5 L round bottom flask equipped with magnetic stirrer, nitrogeninlet, reflux condenser, and thermometer, was charged with3-((3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)thio)propanoic acid (188 g, 883 mmol) indichloromethane (3 L). Thionyl chloride (525 g, 321 mL, 4.42 mol) wasthen added dropwise over 50 minutes. The reaction mixture was heated toreflux (about 36° C.) for two hours, then cooled to room temperature.Concentration under vacuum on a rotary evaporator, followed bydistillation (40 Torr, product collected from 123-127° C.) gave thetitle compound as a clear colorless liquid (177.3 g, 86%): ¹H NMR (400MHz, CDCl₃) δ 3.20 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.86 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.78-2.67(m, 2H), 2.48-2.31 (m, 2H); ¹⁹F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl₃) δ −66.42, −66.43,−66.44, −66.44.

Example 10 3-(((2,2-Difluorocyclopropyl)methyl)thio)propanoic acid

Powdered potassium hydroxide (423 mg, 7.54 mmol) and2-(bromomethyl)-1,1-difluorocyclopropane (657 mg, 3.84 mmol) weresequentially added to a stirred solution of 3-mercaptopropanoic acid(400 mg, 3.77 mmol) in methanol (2 mL) at room temperature. Theresulting white suspension was stirred at 65° C. for 3 hours andquenched with aqueous hydrochloric acid (1 N) and diluted with ethylacetate. The organic phase was separated and the aqueous phase extractedwith ethyl acetate (2×50 mL). The combined organic extracts were driedover magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give thetitle molecule as a colorless oil (652 mg, 84%): IR (thin film) 3025,2927, 2665, 2569, 1696 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 2.85 (t, J=7.0Hz, 2H), 2.82-2.56 (m, 4H), 1.88-1.72 (m, 1H), 1.53 (dddd, J=12.3, 11.2,7.8, 4.5 Hz, 1H), 1.09 (dtd, J=13.1, 7.6, 3.7 Hz, 1H); ESIMS m/z 195([M−H]⁻).

Example 11 3-(((2,2-Difluorocyclopropyl)methyl)thio)propanoyl chloride

In a 3 L 3-neck round bottom flask equipped with an overhead stirrer, atemperature probe, and addition funnel and an nitrogen inlet was chargedwith 3-(((2,2-difluorocyclopropyl)methyl)thio)propanoic acid (90.0 g,459 mmol) that was immediately taken up in dichloromethane (140 mL) withstirring. At room temperature, thionyl chloride (170 mL, 2293 mmol) indichloromethane (100 mL) was added drop-wise with stirring. The reactionmixture was heated to 40° C. and heated for 2 hours. The reaction wasdetermined to be complete by ¹H NMR (An aliquot of the reaction mixturewas taken, and concentrated down via rotary evaporator). The reactionwas allowed to cool to room temperature and the mixture was transferredto a dry 3 L round-bottom and concentrated via the rotary evaporator.This resulted in 95 g of a honey-colored oil. The contents were gravityfiltered through paper and the paper rinsed with diethyl ether (10 mL).The rinse was added to the flask. This gave a clear yellow liquid. Theliquid was placed on a rotary evaporator to remove the ether. This gave92.4 g of a yellow oil. The oil was Kugelrohr distilled (bp 100-110°C./0.8-0.9 mm Hg) to provide the title compound as a colorless oil (81.4g, 81%): ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 3.27-3.12 (m, 2H), 2.89 (t, J=7.1 Hz,2H), 2.67 (ddd, J=6.8, 2.6, 1.0 Hz, 2H), 1.78 (ddq, J=13.0, 11.3, 7.4Hz, 1H), 1.64-1.46 (m, 1H), 1.09 (dtd, J=13.2, 7.7, 3.7 Hz, 1H).

Biological Examples Example A Bioassays on Green Peach Aphid (“GPA”)(Myzus persicae) (MYZUPE.)

GPA is the most significant aphid pest of peach trees, causing decreasedgrowth, shriveling of leaves, and the death of various tissues. It isalso hazardous because it acts as a vector for the transport of plantviruses, such as potato virus Y and potato leafroll virus to members ofthe nightshade/potato family Solanaceae, and various mosaic viruses tomany other food crops. GPA attacks such plants as broccoli, burdock,cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, daikon, eggplant, green beans, lettuce,macadamia, papaya, peppers, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, watercress andzucchini, among other plants. GPA also attacks many ornamental cropssuch as carnations, chrysanthemum, flowering white cabbage, poinsettiaand roses. GPA has developed resistance to many pesticides.

Several molecules disclosed herein were tested against GPA usingprocedures described below.

Cabbage seedling grown in 3-in pots, with 2-3 small (3-5 cm) trueleaves, were used as test substrate. The seedlings were infested with20-5-GPA (wingless adult and nymph stages) one day prior to chemicalapplication. Four pots with individual seedlings were used for eachtreatment. Test compounds (2 mg) were dissolved in 2 mL of acetone/MeOH(1:1) solvent, forming stock solutions of 1000 ppm test compound. Thestock solutions were diluted 5× with 0.025% Tween 20 in water to obtainthe solution at 200 ppm test compound. A hand-held aspirator-typesprayer was used for spraying a solution to both sides of the cabbageleaves until runoff. Reference plants (solvent check) were sprayed withthe diluent only containing 20% by volume acetone/MeOH (1:1) solvent.Treated plants were held in a holding room for three days atapproximately 25° C. and ambient relative humidity (RH) prior tograding. Evaluation was conducted by counting the number of live aphidsper plant under a microscope. Percent Control was measured by usingAbbott's correction formula (W. S. Abbott, “A Method of Computing theEffectiveness of an Insecticide” J. Econ. Entomol 18 (1925), pp.265-267) as follows.

Corrected % Control=100*(X−Y)/X

-   -   where    -   X=No. of live aphids on solvent check plants and    -   Y=No. of live aphids on treated plants

The results are indicated in the table entitled “Table 1: GPA (MYZUPE)and sweetpotato whitefly-crawler (BEMITA) Rating Table”.

Example B Bioassays on Sweetpotato Whitefly Crawler (Bemisia tabaci)(BEMITA.)

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), has been recordedin the United States since the late 1800s. In 1986 in Florida, Bemisiatabaci became an extreme economic pest. Whiteflies usually feed on thelower surface of their host plant leaves. From the egg hatches a minutecrawler stage that moves about the leaf until it inserts itsmicroscopic, threadlike mouthparts to feed by sucking sap from thephloem. Adults and nymphs excrete honeydew (largely plant sugars fromfeeding on phloem), a sticky, viscous liquid in which dark sooty moldsgrow. Heavy infestations of adults and their progeny can cause seedlingdeath, or reduction in vigor and yield of older plants, due simply tosap removal. The honeydew can stick cotton lint together, making it moredifficult to gin and therefore reducing its value. Sooty mold grows onhoneydew-covered substrates, obscuring the leaf and reducingphotosynthesis, and reducing fruit quality grade. It transmittedplant-pathogenic viruses that had never affected cultivated crops andinduced plant physiological disorders, such as tomato irregular ripeningand squash silverleaf disorder. Whiteflies are resistant to manyformerly effective insecticides.

Cotton plants grown in 3-inch pots, with 1 small (3-5 cm) true leaf,were used at test substrate. The plants were placed in a room withwhitely adults. Adults were allowed to deposit eggs for 2-3 days. Aftera 2-3 day egg-laying period, plants were taken from the adult whiteflyroom. Adults were blown off leaves using a hand-held Devilbliss sprayer(23 psi). Plants with egg infestation (100-300 eggs per plant) wereplaced in a holding room for 5-6 days at 82° F. and 50% RH for egg hatchand crawler stage to develop. Four cotton plants were used for eachtreatment. Compounds (2 mg) were dissolved in 1 mL of acetone solvent,forming stock solutions of 2000 ppm. The stock solutions were diluted10× with 0.025% Tween 20 in water to obtain a test solution at 200 ppm.A hand-held Devilbliss sprayer was used for spraying a solution to bothsides of cotton leaf until runoff. Reference plants (solvent check) weresprayed with the diluent only. Treated plants were held in a holdingroom for 8-9 days at approximately 82° F. and 50% RH prior to grading.Evaluation was conducted by counting the number of live nymphs per plantunder a microscope. Pesticidal activity was measured by using Abbott'scorrection formula (see above) and presented in Table 1.

TABLE 1 GPA (MYZUPE) and sweetpotato whitefly-crawler (BEMITA) RatingTable Example Compound BEMITA MYZUPE 1a B B 1b B B 1c B B 1d B BCompound 5.1 A A Compound 7.1 C C Compound 8.1 A A % Control ofMortality Rating 80-100 A More than 0-Less than 80 B Not Tested C Noactivity noticed in this bioassay D

Comparative Examples Example CE-1 N-(1-Acetyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide

A 250-mL 3-neck flask was charged with 1H-pyrazol-4-amine (5 g, 60.2mmol) and dichloromethane (50 mL). The resulting suspension was cooledto 5° C. and triethylamine (9.13 g, 90.0 mmol) was added, followed byacetic anhydride (7.37 g, 72.2 mmol) at <20° C. The reaction was stirredat room temperature for 18 hours, at which point thin layerchromatography [Eluent: ethyl acetate] analysis indicated that thereaction was incomplete. Additional triethylamine (4.57 g, 45.0 mmol)and acetic anhydride (3.70 g, 36.0 mmol) were added and the reaction washeated at 30° C. for an additional 3 hours to give a dark solution, atwhich point thin layer chromatography analysis indicated that only atrace amount of starting material remained. The reaction mixture waspurified by flash column chromatography using ethyl acetate as eluent.The fractions containing pure product were combined and concentrated todryness to afford an off-white solid. The solid was dried under vacuumat room temperature for 18 hours (5.55 g, 55%): ¹H NMR (400 MHz,DMSO-d₆) δ 10.30 (s, 1H), 8.39 (d, J=0.7 Hz, 1H), 7.83 (d, J=0.7 Hz,1H), 2.60 (s, 3H), 2.03 (s, 3H); EIMS m/z 167 ([M]⁺).

Example CE-2 N-(3-Bromo-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide

A 250-mL 3-neck round bottom flask was charged with1H-pyrazol-4-amine•hydrobromide (4.00 g, 24.7 mmol) and water (23 mL).To the mixture, sodium bicarbonate (8.30 g, 99.0 mmol) was added slowlyover 10 minutes, followed by tetrahydrofuran (23 mL). The mixture wascooled to 5° C. and acetic anhydride (2.60 g, 25.4 mmol) was added over30 minutes while maintaining the internal temperature at <10° C. Thereaction mixture was stirred at ˜5° C. for 20 minutes, at which point ¹HNMR and UPLC analyses indicated that the starting material was consumedand the desired product as well as bis-acetylated byproduct was formed.The reaction was extracted with ethyl acetate (x3) and the combinedorganic layers were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, andconcentrated. The crude mixture was triturated with methyltert-butylether to remove the bisacetylated product to afford ˜1.24 g ofa white solid. ¹H NMR analysis showed it was 1:1.1 desired to undesiredbisacetylated product. The solid was purified by flash columnchromatography using 50-100% ethyl acetate/hexanes as eluent to affordthe desired product as a white solid (380 mg, 7.5%) and thebisacetylated product as a white solid (˜800 mg): ¹H NMR (400 MHz,DMSO-d₆) δ 13.01 (s, 1H), 9.36 (s, 1H), 7.92 (s, 1H), 2.03 (s, 3H); ¹³CNMR (101 MHz, DMSO) δ 167.94, 123.93, 119.19, 119.11, 22.63; ESIMS m/z204 ([M+H]⁺).

It should be understood that while this invention has been describedherein in terms of specific embodiments set forth in detail, suchembodiments are presented by way of illustration of the generalprinciples of the invention, and the invention is not necessarilylimited thereto. Certain modifications and variations in any givenmaterial, process step or chemical formula will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit andscope of the present invention, and all such modifications andvariations should be considered within the scope of the claims thatfollow.

1. A molecule having the following formula


2. A molecule having the following formula


3. A process for the preparation of 3-chloro-1H-pyrazol-4-aminehydrochloride (1a)

which comprises halogenating and reducing 4-nitropyrazole

with concentrated hydrochloric acid at a temperature between about 10°C. and about 20° C. with between about 1 equivalent and about 4equivalents of triethylsilane and about 1 weight percent to about 10weight percent palladium on alumina.
 4. (canceled)
 5. A process for thepreparation of N-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide(1c)

which comprises reacting N-(3-chloro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (1b)

with a suitable halopyridine in the presence of a copper salt, an amine,and a base.
 6. A process for the preparation of secondary amine (1d)

which comprises reactingN-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (1c)

with a suitable reducing agent in the presence of an acid.
 7. A processfor the preparation of thioethers (1e)

wherein, R¹ is selected form the group consisting of C₁-C₄ haloalkyl andC₁-C₄ alkyl-C₃-C₆ halocycloalkyl which comprises reacting amine (1d)

with a suitable activated carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid anhydride, oracid chloride of a carboxylic acid, in the presence of a base.
 8. Aprocess according to claim 7, wherein R¹ is C₁-C₄ haloalkyl.
 9. Aprocess according to claim 7, wherein R¹ is CH₂CH₂CF₃.
 10. A processaccording to claim 7, wherein R¹ is CH₂(2,2-difluorocyclopropyl).
 11. Aprocess for the preparation of pesticidal sulfoxides, having the generalstructure of (1f),

wherein, R¹ is selected form the group consisting of C₁-C₄ haloalkyl andC₁-C₄ alkyl-C₃-C₆ halocycloalkyl which comprises oxidizing thioether(1e),

with an oxidizing agent comprising hydrogen peroxide.
 12. A processaccording to claim 11, wherein R¹ is CH₂CH₂CF₃.
 13. A process accordingto claim 11, wherein R¹ is CH₂(2,2-difluorocyclopropyl).
 14. A processto control insects said process comprising applying a molecule accordingto claim 1 to a locus to control insects inhabiting said locus. 15.-19.(canceled)
 20. A molecule having one of the following structures


21. A process according to claim 7, wherein R¹ is CH₂CH₂CF₃ and thesuitable activated carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid anhydride, or acidchloride of a carboxylic acid is prepared from

which is prepared by the photochemical free-radical coupling of3-mercaptopropionic acid and esters thereof with 3,3,3-trifluoropropenein the presence of 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone initiator and longwavelength UV light in an inert organic solvent.
 22. (canceled)
 23. Aprocess for the preparation of3-chloro-N-ethyl-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-amine (1d)

which comprises: (a) alkylatingN-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (1c)

with ethyl bromide in the presence of a base to produceN-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethylacetamide (1c′)

and (b) reacting (1c′) with hydrochloric acid in water at temperaturesbetween about 70° C. and about 90° C.
 24. A process according to claim7, wherein thioethers (1e)

wherein R¹ is selected form the group consisting of C₁-C₄ haloalkyl andC₁-C₄ alkyl-C₃-C₆ halocycloalkyl, are prepared from3-chloro-N-ethyl-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-amine (1d)

which is prepared by (a) alkylatingN-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide (1c)

with ethyl bromide in the presence of a base and an additive to produceN-(3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-N-ethylacetamide (1c′)

and (b) reacting (1c′) with hydrochloric acid in water at temperaturesbetween about 70° C. and about 90° C.